A MAN who knifed his friend 15 times in an unprovoked attack has been warned by a judge that he faces an extended prison sentence if he doesn't reveal his motives.

Daniel Lowe, of Steer Road in Swanage, has so far failed to tell police, his legal representatives or his family why he stabbed Andrew McPhail with a nine-inch carving knife on Friday, June 16.

On Friday, he appeared for sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court after admitting section 18 wounding with intent, having a knife in a public place, possession of cannabis and aggravated vehicle taking involving dangerous driving.

But a barrister acting on his behalf said Lowe, 27, has refused to say why father-to-be Mr McPhail was targeted. The victim and the defendant had been good friends for some four years, with no disagreements or rows.

Judge Brian Forster has now given Lowe until Wednesday afternoon to tell his solicitors why he committed the attack. If the defendant fails to speak up, he is likely to be found dangerous, meaning he must be imprisoned under an extended sentence.

Prosecuting, Rob Griffiths said Mr McPhail was working at Tyre City on the Nuffield Industrial Estate, Poole, when he was visited by Lowe. The two were sat in the victim's car chatting when, without warning, Lowe lunged towards Mr McPhail and stabbed him in the chest.

Mr McPhail managed to get out of the car and run back towards the garage, but slipped and fell to the ground.

As he lay on his back, Lowe repeatedly stabbed him in the chest and abdomen. The victim suffered a total of 15 injuries, one of which pierced through his stomach and cut into his pancreas.

An eye-witness who frantically called 999 later told police: "Dan had a hard face - like a face of stone.

"It was like he was off his face on drugs or something."

After the attack, Lowe got into Mr McPhail's car and drove at speed towards Poole. He hit another car at the Fleetsbridge Roundabout and left the scene, driving straight to the police station, where he was detained.

Mr McPhail was rushed to hospital by paramedics. He underwent an operation and faces further surgery in the future.

In a victim impact statement read aloud to the court by Mr Griffiths, Mr McPhail said he shouts Lowe's name in his sleep.

"My greatest fear is that it will happen again because I have no idea why it happened in the first place," he said.

"I honestly thought I was going to die and never see my unborn son."

Lowe was asked more than 20 times in interview why he had carried out the attack, but has never given a reason.

John Dyer, representing the defendant, said he was able to offer only limited mitigation.

"I would like to help the court if I could but I am simply unable to," he said.

"There is nothing remarkable about Mr Lowe.

"He is 27. He was in a relationship. He spent part of his life in Yorkshire. He has a four-year-old child."

Police had probed the possibility that the defendant, who smokes cannabis, was in the grip of a psychosis, he said.

However, this is no longer believed to be a possibility.

Lowe rolled his eyes, tilted his head backwards to stare at the ceiling and inspected his nails during the hearing.

Judge Forster urged the defendant to reconsider his position.

"You must understand the court has to consider whether you are a danger to other people.

"So far, you have chosen not to offer any explanation for your behaviour," Judge Forster said.

The sentence will take place on Wednesday afternoon.